700+ walks down the alley to work
730 daily cups of coffee
52 weekly laundry days
26 paychecks
4 seasons
3 months of school
1 summer vacation
1 Christmas
1 birthday
1 year

That's what it's been since my grandmother passed away one year ago the day after Christmas, December 26, 2005. A lot has happened over the past twelve months. A lot has changed for me, and I've been changed. Included in the list above:

multiple doctor's visits
1 visit to the gastrointerologist
1 endoscopy
multiple blood tests
2 CT scans
1 brain CT scan
1 bone density scan
1 visit with the nutritionist
1 visit to the rheumetologist
mutiple questions about whether I've ever had an eating disorder
1 diagnosis of osteopenia
1 diagnosis of celiac disease
multiple days of accidental gluten ingestion and feeling sick

I've also come to have a deeper faith in God and a realization that he has a plan for me. He's blessed me with a great family and a strong support network...a husband who eats gluten free with me and always advocates for me, a mom who works for a health food store and always comes through with a tasty GF food just when I'm feeling really discouraged. People at work who always allow me to take the time off I need. An extended family who bakes me GF cookies and changes their meal plans to accomodate me. A sister-in-law who makes me fabulous gluten free banana bread for Christmas.

I think the grief over my grandmother's death pushed my body over the edge, and I'm glad I was finally diagnosed with celiac disease this year. In a way, it will probably save me pain and grief in the years to come. I don't know everything that is going on with my body, nor do I have guarantees that all will always be well, but I do realize that I have this day - TODAY - in which I have an opportunity to shower my loved ones with love and enjoy the life I'm blessed with.  ¶ 2:17 PM

  Goal for Christmas - create a Gluten Free Oatmeal Cookie...

And I think I've created the perfect foundation.

Gluten Free Irish Cream Whiskey

I got really tired of missing that creamy whiskey drink we all like to have this time of year, you know, the one that you make "Oatmeal Cookies" with and drink in your coffee (it's even acceptable to sneak it into your Christmas morning caffeinated drink).

I found a recipe online that made me think, and then, being the curious person I am, I did a search and found even MORE recipes for Irish Cream. I was pretty grossed out that most of them contained raw eggs; so I refined my search and found a recipe that was sans eggs. Of course I adapted it and here it is...

2/3 cup Whiskey
1/2 cup of sweetened condensed milk
1/3 cup of half-n-half
1 tablespoon Gluten Free chocolate chips melted with a teaspoon of butter

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

Enjoy over ice.

Crank up the Christmas music and wrap presents and make yummy treats...which I am about to do. A sweet combo of puffed rice, sugar, maple syrup, all baked into a sweet snack mix.  ¶ 8:22 PM

  Some new posts for the holidays...

Caulifower Gratin (Gluten Free)

This reipe is adapted from Vegetable Love by Barbara Kafka

1 large head cauliflower, cut into 3/4-1- inch florets (about 5 cups)
3 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup white rice flour
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (I use a few squirts of Siracha)
1 1/2 cups of cheddar (or other sharp cheese)

Place rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Toss the cauliflower with 2 teaspoons of salt. Put in the top of a two part steamer and fill the botton of the steamer pan with water; water should not touch the rack. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Place the caulifower on top, cover, and for 10 minutes (ADAPTATION: steam for about 18 minutes if you are pressed for time; steam while making your sauce and then just toss the sauce and cauliflower and then bake for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees or until hot and bubbly).

Melt the butter in a 2-quart saucepan. Add the flour and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring. Slowly add the milk, whisking briskly to prevent lumps. Add the cream, cayenne and remaining salt. Increase the heat to medium. Cook, stirring, for 12 minutes. Add the cheese and stir until melted.

Arrange the cauliflower in a single layer in a buttered baking dish and cover with sauce. I like to top with gluten free bread crumbs softened with olive oil. Bake for 45 minutes or until browned and bubbly.

Yum!!

Polka dot cranberry coconut cookies

2 1/3 cups of Gluten Free puffed brown rice cereal
1-12 ounce package of white chocolate chips (I checked out Nestle and they seem to be ok)
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup sweetened coconut

Melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave by microwaving them for 30 seconds at a time and stirring between nukes. In another large bowl combine the rice, cranberries and coconut. Pour the melted chocolate over the rice mixture. Stir to combine.

Drop in clusters onto wax paper or parchment paper using a tablespoon. Put wax paper on a cookie sheet and put into the freezer for about 15 minutes until the cookies set. May then be stored at room temperature. Yummy. Would be FANTABULOUS with dark chocolate or bittersweet chocolate.

Quick Dip

Microwave a good chunk of Philadelphia cream cheese until soft. Top with salsa. Serve with gluten free crackers or tortilla chips.  ¶ 4:46 PM

  Hello, all. I am the oft-silent male contributor this blog.

Isn't my wife amazing? I just spent some time reviewing all the posts that she has made to this blog we call Market 314. I am impressed. Although I participated in some of the posts, it has been awhile since I've done so. In large part, she has taken over and made this endeavor something worth reading/following. And although I would read the posts one and a time as they were posted, I had not read them as a whole.

Having done so, I can only repeat: isn't she amazing? I am inspired to cook, to write, and to experience life as fully as she has over the past several months.

We are all truly blessed to know her.  ¶ 3:51 PM